Ford Pushes Start of EV Production in Ontario to 2027, Wants More Hybrids
Pressed by Unifor to clarify the fate of the Oakville plant, Ford today announced that it is pushing back the launch of upcoming electric vehicles in Ontario from 2025 to 2027 as it focuses on offering the right mix of gas, hybrid and electric vehicles based on demand today.
As a matter of fact, Ford’s newly updated plan calls for at least one hybrid option for every gas-powered model in its entire North American lineup by the end of the decade.
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“We are committed to scaling a profitable EV business, using capital wisely and bringing to market the right gas, hybrid and fully electric vehicles at the right time,” Ford president and CEO Jim Farley said. “Our breakthrough, next-generation EVs will be new from the ground up and fully software enabled, with ever-improving digital experiences and a multitude of potential services.”
The transformation of the Oakville plant, which is currently winding down production of the Ford Edge, will begin this spring as planned. The company said it will work with Unifor to mitigate the impact the launch delay will have on its workforce. As reported by Automotive News Canada, most of the employees will be eligible to receive up to 70 percent of their pay while on layoff during the transition.
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The first electric vehicles to come out of Oakville in 2027 will be all-new, three-row SUVs representing both the Ford and Lincoln brands and employing new battery technology, Ford said on Thursday without being more specific.
Back in May of last year, Farley hinted at a “personal bullet train” with aerodynamic styling and quick acceleration. A presentation to the media revealed a 100kWh battery with a range of up to 563 km and ultra-fast charging capability.
Ford, which also expects to delay the launch of its second electric pickup, didn’t provide any more details about the low-cost electric platform that one of its teams has been working on for the past two years. This new architecture will underpin multiple products coming in the second half of the decade.